Monday, November 7, 2016

Another great entry in the Marvel universe!
It’s an origins film and fairly straightforward. But they stick to the source material, which I appreciated.
Yes, the graphics are amazing. It’s stunning how the rooms, buildings, and entire cities fold in on themselves. I believe over three hundred digital graphic artists were credited at the end.
The cast is perfect. Cumberbatch brings humor to the lead even as he remains self-focused and a little cocky – but the character is no Tony Stark. Ejiofor was in Serenity and he’s always good. The biggest surprise was Tilda Swinton. Even bald, she played the most normal and balanced character I’ve ever seen her portray.
This isn’t one of Marvel’s top films. It’s on par with the Iron Man movies. But it’s still a ton of fun and a spectacle to behold. In other words, even a less than stellar Marvel film is better than most movies.
Highly recommended. And stay for the two bonus scenes at the end.

Carnival of Souls is a film that had an interesting concept. It was then flushed down the toilet with abysmal execution, poor acting, and a plodding pace. It does have the distinction of being the most organ music you will ever hear at one time.

The guys had done Carnival of Souls in the past. It’s not one of their top performances, but they did bring some new jokes to the table.

Of course, nothing beats the RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion Show. You can download it from their SITEnow or wait for the DVD which is coming soon!

And now for your enjoyment, some of the preshow slides:

Good Clean Fun

Welcome Crystal Collier here today to share her new book and some medieval funnies!

Thank you Alex for having me here today!

"Good, clean fun." What comes to mind when you hear that? One of the many things that makes me think about is "clean reads." I admit, I'm a bit of a wuss. I want limited language, palpable abuses, and PG-13 (or less) love scenes in my reading. The brain is a funny thing and it tends to cling to everything we put in it. It also sputters out what we put in it at the most inconvenient times. Warning to us all, eh? Best to put the kinds of things in your brain you'd like to see regurgitated. (Yikes. That sounds a little gross eh?)

So being a mom, my goal is to write books I wouldn't be embarrassed having my daughters (or sons) read. TIMELESS, despite having a good deal of romance, is like that. (As are the first two books in the Maiden of Time series.) (Knights, battles, time travel, an epic love story, and special powers...WHAT?!) So what do you say to some good clean fun?

The chore that never ends.

And what did Snow White ALWAYS do? (Ahem, the answer is clean.)

All else fails, throw the trash in the closet.

Cleaning really isn't torture, I promise.

I hope you laughed or at least smiled. And now while you're in a good mood, go buy my books!

And have a nice day.

What is your favorite/least favorite chore? Do you like clean reads? Don't care?

Thanks to everyone who posted for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and my awesome co-hosts.
I visit as many as I can and wish I could visit everyone. I hope everyone understands some months I do better than others. Sometimes IWSG day burns me out and I don’t go much farther. Maybe for December I’ll visit IWSG posts only and then catch up a day or two later with those who commented but don’t post for IWSG.
I do appreciate all of you! The kind words, the support you give each other, and the push you give me to keep this going strong.

I got a treat in the mail this past week! Robyn sent me an autographed copy of her book, Celibacy and Suburbia. Section two of the book is dedicated to me and the IWSG.
Plus she made a little something special for me.
Originally she mailed it with Hot Tamales inside, but the package returned to her opened and missing the candy. So somewhere out there are postal workers gorging on my Hot Tamales!
Thanks again, Robyn – you rock!

Anyone else see Doctor Strange? See the RiffTrax show? Have a I made you a fan yet? Ready for some good, clean fun? Was IWSG day awesome for you? Do you have any autographed books? You don’t have a box of twenty-three year old Yummy Mummy do you…?

Congrats to those with new releases! Crystal will be stopping by my blog on Wednesday with more good clean fun (or at least humor).

I don't know how many autographed books I have, but I'd say at least a dozen. Most authors at conventions are happy to sign their books. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get Ursula Le Guin's the year she was at WisCon.

I still have plans to watch RiffTrax. I will be picking up both of the features writers books. I have enjoyed Crystal's series and so I need to see how she wraps it all up. I did notice she uses a clean read style, just enough to spark the imagination. I think it works very well for her series and targeted market.

I do enjoy a tantalizing story and I think it shows in some of my poetry. I know a hopeless romantic.

You are a busy man and try to get to as many as you can, we all know that and love you for all your do. You are light, keep burning bright.

Mrs. Shady and I are hooked on the interconnected characters and story lines of the Marvel universe. Based on your review Doctor Strange has been added to our must see list. (Rachel McAdams is always a big draw for Shady.)

Thanks for the review! I'm hoping to see Dr. Strange soon (really soon) and thanks for the tip about the two bonus features. :)I love clean reads - thank you, Crystal! I don't like . . . well, any cleaning, but I really don't like the pile of never-ending laundry.

glad we agree on Doctor Strange. Just a fun movie experienceTimeless is everywhere - hope it sells wellI look at cleaning as exercise - that helps. I do hate bathrooms, Ray hates vacuumingThe Crown on Netflix is quite good. We shall see what transpires on Tuesday......hope the world keeps spinning. Have a great week

I'm seeing Dr. Strange later this week. Not sure what day. I have a shelf of autographed books, mostly from writing friends. I think we all have our own interpretations of what 'clean' means in a book.

IWSG is a fun monthly event I look forward to and glad you helped start it all Alex. Crystal is so much fun and my least favorite chore is ironing. Congrats to Crystal and Joylene on your new books. I plan to see Doctor Strange as soon as it comes to Jamaica. Glad you enjoyed it Alex. Did you know that The Secret Life of Pets is on the verge of beating Batman v Superman on the top grossing movies of 2016 list? That would mean it will beat every superhero movie (also Deadpool and Suicide Squad) on the list except Civil War. Which I believe speaks volumes about the greatness of animation. Especially since this one is a Non-Disney movie and based off an original idea. Which proves that Hollywood has no real excuse to keep rehashing stuff. Original ideas can be packaged to sell well to audiences.

I must see Dr Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch is quite the villain. Thanks for reminding me. I have a signed book of I am spock by Leonard Nimoy so thats unique. Its always cool when an author like Robyn sends an autographed copy of her work and candy! She must be smitten with Alex the Ninja haha

This did put a smile on my face. I like those cartoons. I do want to see Dr. Strange because it looks cool and I like Benedict Cumberbatch. I love the original film Carnival of Souls and find it an excellent B movie. Are you talking about this film or some remake?? Good luck tomorrow and whoever gets in, the sun will still come up the next day. Let's hope the mud slinging will stop.

I almost saw Doctor Strange this weekend, but things came up and I ended up not going to the movies. Good to know the movie is worth seeing. :) Excited to see Crystal here today. Wishing her all the best.

I love signed books and have a special spot for them on my shelves. :)~Jess

My sister, and apparently everyone else in the theater that evening, didn't realize there was a second credits bonus scene, so they walked out after the first one with Thor. Darn you Thor! Although of course it was probably Loki's fault, right?

I don't have real books--all of mine are on my Kindle. I can see what you mean about burnout. You have a LOT of blogs to keep up with. I'd be surprised if you never needed a break from it all! As for clean reads, yes, I do prefer cleaner books. I don't like blood and gore and graphic violence and sex scenes aren't really my thing anymore. In my 20s, I read (and wrote) more than my fair share of romance, though!

Alex, I know what goes into your support of everyone--not just on IWSG day, and I am totally amazed. You. Are. Epic.

We saw Dr. Strange and loved it. My husband more than me--probably because I was drugged up on allergy meds and TRYING to be comfortable in a theater. Haven't been comfortable sitting in a theater chair since my car accident in April. Terribly frustrating. *sigh* I need to see the movie again, but at home where I can be comfortable. Those end scenes were awesome.

The hot Tamales thing, I thought that only happened in other countries. I could make a border comment here, but I won't.

And yay for Joylene! I think she's got the internet on its knees these days with all her epic tour stuff.

I'm excited to see Doctor Strange this Friday! Crystal always manages to make me laugh. :) Plus her books are awesome! I'm still trying to catch up from IWSG day, but my mom is down visiting, so it will have to wait. :)

These days, good clean fun is like searching for a needle in a haystack.I prefer clean stories too.Crystal's cover is really lovely. I also love Joylene's cover...so atmospheric. Congrats to these two ladies.

Though I haven't watched it yet, I'm anxious to watch Riftraxx on Amazon Prime. I'm trying to conclude my ST:TNG binge first though.I love the Rifftrax screenshots though. The funniest is the William Shatner masks. LOLNO, I don't have any old boxes of Yummy Mummy, though I do have some fairly recent ones. Jeffrey Scott secret - I collect cereal boxes. That is, the limited editions. I probably have over 100.

Crystal - Loved your funnies. Yes, I love good clean fun & reads. Truth be told, all my writing is PG-13 and below. My YA series I'm trying to conclude is written that way. It's something I would never be embarrassed to have someone younger read. Knowing you write that way makes me more anxious to read one of your books.

Never a big Dr. Strange guy. But, I like Cumberbatch.First time I saw him was in Star Trek Into Darkness. He was a great villain. I never bought into an Englishman playing a character called Khan Noonian Singh, but he was really awesome in that movie.Hopefully in this one, as well.

I've been thinking about seeing the Strange movie; glad it has some world building and back story so I don't feel like I'm starting in the middle :)

Some days, all cleaning is my least favorite. But, its so mundane - ok except for cleaning the stove and fridge - that I like the busy work. I'm not an all-out cleaner, just bits here and there as the mood strikes me. No, my home is not a disaster, when I'm home. As for "clean" books, I don't care, usually, as long as the plot and characters are well done. However, if a book calls itself "erotica" and uses terms like "thrilled the flower of my being" its not erotica. I like books to use the language of their genre: if that calls for f-bombs, ok; or sex, violence, blood, ok. I hate it when someone tries to "clean up" a story's content to attract delicate readers. On the opposite side, I get just as unnerved when gratuitous content is added just to attract readers who like all that foulness in a story. Ya know?

Congrats to all those with books out. totally love Joylene's cover. Looks like a book I'd enjoy.

Doctor Strange looks like an amazing cinematic experience. I hope I get to see it in the theater. Lately, all of my movie viewing has been at home. Maybe I can convince my husband to take a day off for a date. ;)

Looking forward to Doctor Strange, although I still haven't figured out what it's about. Good, clean, fun- definitely my cup of tea! I don't need the x-rated stuff to entertain me, but it's getting harder and harder to find good books without it!I've turned to biography and non-fiction lately to avoid it.

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Terrific post as always. So true as to what we put into our brains is what we put out. If we put positive thoughts out into the brain and positive actions out into the world hopefully it will have a ripple effect!

Really exceited to see Doctor Strange but waiting until my son is visiting from college. He is the person I most want to see it with, and if memory serves, college was not a big time for going to movies, so I don't think he's gone.

As for the "good clean fun"... I am not too picky either way. Clean or dirty. But romance works best for me if I have to use my imagination a bit or I get tangled in logistics (wait, can a person bend that way?) Takes me out of the story.

You are amazing with your comprehensive posts. The Doctor Strange movie sounds like a good one. Just don't ever get to a movie theater anymore. Sorry that our little town no longer has one. Thanks for visiting my blog.

I can't wait to see Doctor Strange. I hear the special effects are amazing. I've liked the Iron Man movies but I admit it's partly because of the actor and his personality. We'll have to see about Doctor Strange. Keep up the encouragement for us other writers. It's much appreciated. IWSG www.dianeweidenbenner.com

Great post as always. You mean so much to IWSG and we understand just how much you do.Haven't seen Dr. Strange yet, but I will this weekend. While I do prefer clean reads, I don't mind something more mature from time to time as long as it's not too extreme and I know what I'm getting into ahead of time. I really don't like when an assumed clean read turns to filth in a matter of paragraphs. I do have a few autographed books and I adore them.

Hart, it's really interesting where everyone falls on the spectrum, but I could have guessed you're goo with both ways.

Toinette, I hear you there! When a book falls outside of your expectations it can be enough to break it.

Heather, you and me both! Bring on the clean reads.

Lexa, thank you!

Steven, Family-friendly is great too, but typically that implies it's meant for younger minds as well (3-12). I still like story worlds geared toward mature individuals, but without the unnecessary extremes.

Visiting a bit late, but at least I can visit! I enjoyed your post as always. I have got to get to a theatre and see some of the great movies that you are reviewing! I enjoyed Crystals "Good Clean Fun" contribution. She's on my list of IWSG authors I want to read. And of course Joylene's aboriginal book. Congrats to all the amazing IWSG writers you champion ~ and thanks for all you do for us! Take care!

I'm looking forward to seeing Dr Strange. Yeah, IWSG days do get hectic, so I'm sure people will understand that its next to impossible for you to visit everyone. Don't worry about it. Too bad for your missing Hot Tamales :(

Dr Strange sounds like a lot of fun. Great to see Crystal here. Clean reads - yeah, they're a good thing, but I don't mind slightly less clean stuff as long as it's not in place of characterisation or plot.

You're still doing an amazing job with IWSG, Alex! I'm sure no one has any complaints.

Thanks for the great reviews. I think I might need to see the Doctor Strange movie, even though I'm not that familiar with that Marvel character. Timeless also sounds like a nice romance but I'm very surprised about those postal workers who stole the candy!

I thoroughly enjoyed Doctor Strange. The origin story thing is a little formulaic, but the movie itself made up for it, and Cumberbatch's performance was excellent.

And don't have a general preference for cleaner or not stories, so long as what's happening has a purpose. If something's R-rated for a reason, that's fine. If it's gratuitous or objectifying or what-have-you, not so good.

About Me

I'm a sci-fi writer on a journey of discovery - books, movies, music, etc.
Founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, I'm the author of Amazon Best Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, & Dragon of the Stars